One of the things I love most about taking part in Six Degrees of Separation is that it nudges me to think creatively. Sure, some connections are wonderfully obvious, while others take a bit more meandering to uncover. And somehow, every now and then, I stumble upon connections that make me smile because they just feel so cool!
The other delightful side effect? These chains often send me rummaging through my reading memories, rediscovering long-forgotten favorites, and reminding me of all the books that have been patiently waiting on my must-read list.
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From Land to Land: Through Lost and Forgotten Worlds
This month’s six degrees starts with Maggie O’ Farrell’s Land – another starter book I am yet to read.
My first step is an easy one: Edgar Rice Burroughs’ The Land That Time Forgot. The shared word land was all the excuse I needed! I vividly remember reading a comic adaptation of Burroughs’ classic many years ago. Somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten all about it, until this chain brought it back to me (pun absolutely intended!)
From this forgotten land, it feels natural to wander into Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World. Both books take readers on prehistoric adventures and into hidden places untouched by time. This is another book I recall reading as a comic. Isn’t is wonderful how some books can seem to belong to a distant chapter of our lives, yet the moment we think of them, they’re as familiar as old friends.
That spirit of adventure carries me to Jules Vernes’ From the Earth to the Moon. Verne was my very first favorite science-fiction author, and just seeing his name fills me with nostalgia. Did I actually read this particular book? I honestly can’t remember. But I do know that I will enjoy it, making it a perfect candidate for a future reread(or perhaps a first read after all!)!
Keeping the moon in sight leads me to Richard Maurer’s The Woman in the Moon. While I likely haven’t read Jules Vernes’ book, I did read Maurer’s wonderful biography of Margaret Hamilton, and it left a lasting impression. It’s one of those inspiring books I’d happily recommend to readers of almost any age.
The word woman lead me to Pearl S. Buck’s Pavilion of Women. This novel has been sitting on my ever-growing must-read list for far too long. Perhaps this chain is the gentle reminder I needed to finally pick it up.
Since I’m already visiting Pearl S. Buck’s works, my next stop is The Good Earth, the first of her novels that I read – and one that I remember loving. The book stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
And from The Good Earth, it’s only a small step back to Land. Earth and land are close companions, making for a satisfying full circle that brings me right back to where this month’s journey began.
A Spidey Detour
August 1 happens to be Spiderman Day! And all this talk of childhood comic reads as well as my son urging me to go watch the new movie with him (we will likely do so in the next couple of days) meant I had to at least do a Spidey mention here today.
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, I love how these monthly chains rarely follow the path I expect. What begins with a simple concept often turns into a stroll through childhood reading memories, favorite authors, forgotten comics, inspiring biographies, and books still waiting patiently on my shelves. That’s part of the magic of Six Degrees: it isn’t just about connecting books, but about reconnecting with our own reading lives.
Where did your literary wanderings take you this month?
